even as high-ranking, frankly, as former president bill clinton to go and be the negotiator. i know he would hate me for saying that, but we need a person of enormous prestige and influence to have these parties sit down together as an honest broker. >> in 1993 president clinton brought then palestinian leader yasser air fought, and then israeli prime minister brabine together for an iconic handshake at the white house. he also had the first face-to-face agreement between the -- ultimately, it did not fulfill either side's expectations. president clinton tried again at the camp david 2000 summit, but, again, it ended without an agreement on the peace -- on peace in the region. james ruben serves as president clinton's assistant secretary of state for public affairs. he is joining us from new york. jamie, good to see you, as always. if you were advising the president here, do you think he should accept the task? >> well, i think bill clinton will do what's asked much him, but i think it's fair to say the circumstances are very, very different today than they were back, i guess